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Modelling the entry process in Human Cytomegalovirus using Genomics from natural populations

Principle Supervisor: Dr Maya Topf (Bbk)

Co-Supervisor: Dr Ursula Gompels (LSHTM)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), is a common global pathogen, the dominant viral cause of congenital birth defects in the developed world and a rising vaccine priority. HCMV is also a major viral opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS increasing morbidity and mortality. This is one of the largest DNA viruses, presenting challenges in understanding the remarkable complexity in its entry machinery as compared to smaller enveloped viruses (e.g. HIV or Influenza). A structural view of the entry process, will be a critical step in identifying potential novel therapeutics, including vaccines and drugs. The aim of this PhD is to build a structural model of the core HCMV fusion machinery during cellular infection by developing a mathematical/computational modelling approach that will combine data from natural transmission pathways, cryoET (in collaboration with the Grünewald lab , Oxford), X-ray crystallography, genomics and genotypic variation. Using this integrated approach the project aims to identify molecular mechanisms underlying HCMV entry stage into the host cell and therapeutic targets.

Candidate Requirements:

This PhD is aimed at graduates with a strong interest in multi-disciplinary research and especially in computational work. We invite applications from highly motivated students from a wide range of academic backgrounds including biological, biomedical, biochemical, cell biology, genomic, physical, computational, engineering or mathematical disciplines.

This studentship will be attached to the BBSRC LIDo programme. The successful student will be part of the Autumn 2016/17 cohort of students on the LIDo programme and will follow the LIDo programme structure in year 1. Further information about the LIDo programme are available below.